Keto Lemon Curd
By Carine Claudepierre
Published on 03/31/2022 - Last updated on 05/22/2023
This recipe may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This Keto Lemon Curd is a delicious, creamy, smooth dessert with a tangy lemon flavor, no sugar, and only 0.5 grams of net carbs per serving.
You’ll love this low-carb lemon curd as a dessert, on its own, or for breakfast with keto scones or keto crepes.
Lemon curd is one of the most classic desserts and one of the first recipes I created for my keto lemon tart recipe.
Here’s the plain recipe that you can eat on its own or serve as a side for low-carb breakfast baked goods.
Is Lemon Curd Keto?
Unfortunately, a regular lemon curd recipe is made from sugar and sometimes the addition of high-carb flour, like cornstarch, to thicken the mixture.
So to make low-carb lemon curd, you need to twist the recipe to avoid the added carbs.
How To Make Keto Lemon Curd
All you need to make lemon curd without sugar are five simple ingredients.
The key is to cook the curd over a simmering saucepan.
It’s called a double broiler method in baking, and it’s a great way to thicken the eggs and lemon juice gently, creating a smooth curd that is smooth and velvety without cooking the eggs.
Ingredients
- Egg yolk – You can store the egg whites in the fridge for later and make some keto macaroons with them. Eggs are keto-friendly products.
- Powdered Erythritol – You can use monk fruit sweetener or any powdered sweetener you love – I recommend using a powder form to avoid a grainy texture in the sugar-free lemon curd. In fact, the curd is cooked at a low temperature, and sugar-free sweeteners won’t dissolve very well, unlike sugar. Learn how to pick the best keto-friendly sweeteners.
- Lemon Zest
- Lemon Juice – fresh lemon tastes the best!
- Unsalted Butter – this adds texture and velvety texture to the curd. Feel free to use dairy-free butter if you have a dairy intolerance. Learn why butter is keto-friendly.
Whisking Ingredients
First, in a glass bowl or a bowl that can handle the heat, whisk the egg yolk, sweetener, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Set aside.
Then, select a saucepan that is wide enough to welcome the previous mixing bowl tightly.
If the saucepan is too small, the heat won’t diffuse, and it can take ages to firm up the curd.
Double-Broiler Method
Now, place the saucepan with 2 inches of cold water over low, medium heat.
When the water simmers or reaches a light boil, place the bowl on it and constantly whisk until the curd firm up.
Be patient. It’s a long process, and it takes from 8 to 10 minutes to thicken.
You can increase the heat slightly after 6 minutes if you don’t see the texture changing much but don’t worry, lemon curd thickens suddenly around 10 minutes.
Adding Butter
When the sugar-free lemon curd has thickened, remove the pan from heat, stir in the cubes of butter.
Transfer the curd to a glass mason jar and cover the top with a piece of plastic wrap, touching the curd directly to prevent the formation of curd skin.
After about 40 minutes, remove the plastic, close the jar with a lid and refrigerate the curd overnight or at least 4 hours.
Serving
This low-carb lemon curd is the best keto dessert on its own or topped with:
- Fresh berries like raspberries
- Unsweetened whipped cream
- Sliced almonds
- Desiccated coconut
Storage Instructions
This sugar-free lemon curd recipe can be stored for up to 10 days in the fridge.
You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before using it in cakes or pies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, lemon is a keto-friendly fruit with only 0.5 grams of net carbs per serving. It’s a great addition to the sauce, curd, or custard without adding sugar to your recipes.
Lemon curd is typically a bit thicker than lemon custard. The latter is made with milk, making it runnier. Custard is also often just flavored with lemon rind while curd has lemon juice for a stronger lemon taste.
A typical serving of lemon curd is one tablespoon.
The name lemon curd comes from the way the recipe was originally made which was from curdling cream with the acidity of lemon.
Lemon Curd can be enjoyed on its own or as a filling for cakes, pies, or pastries.
More Keto Dessert Recipes
If you love delicious keto desserts, I have plenty for you!
Did You Like This Recipe?
Leave a comment below or head to our Facebook page for tips, our Instagram page for inspiration, our Pinterest for saving recipes, and Flipboard to get all the new ones!
Keto Lemon Curd
Ingredients
- 4 Egg Yolks keep egg white in the fridge for another recipe
- ⅓ cup Lemon Juice about 3 freshly squeezed medium lemons
- ⅓ cup Powdered Erythritol
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest
- 6 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
Instructions
- In a glass mixing bowl, whisk egg yolk, powdered sweetener, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Set aside while you prepare the saucepan for the double boiler cooking technique.
- Select a saucepan, making sure the previous bowl fits the width of the saucepan as you will place it on top of it. You want it to fit snugly but without touching the water at the bottom of the saucepan.
- Bring 2 inches of cold water to a simmer in the saucepan.
- Cover the saucepan with the bowl with the egg yolk. Keep over low heat, so the water keeps simmering.
- Whisk the egg yolk constantly for about 8-10 minutes or until the curd thickens. If it doesn't thicken, increase the heat.
- Remove from heat and gently whisk in the cubes of butter. Pour in a glass jar, cover with a piece of plastic wrap touching the curd directly to prevent skin from forming. The curd firms up as it cools down to room temperature.
Storage
- After 30-40 minutes, remove the plastic wrap, close the jar with a lid and refrigerate the curd. Store it for up to 10 days or freeze it and thaw it in the fridge before using.
Tools
Getting Started What Is Keto? Macro Calculator Sweetener Converter Meal Plans Recipe Ebooks Intermittent Fasting Keto Fruits Keto Vegetables Keto Flours Fighting Keto Flu Healthy SweetenersWant My Kitchen Equipment?
About The Author
Hi, I'm Carine, the food blogger, author, recipe developer, published author of a cookbook and many ebooks, and founder of Sweet As Honey.
I have an Accredited Certificate in Nutrition and Wellness obtained in 2014 from Well College Global (formerly Cadence Health). I'm passionate about sharing all my easy and tasty recipes that are both delicious and healthy. My expertise in the field comes from my background in chemistry and years of following a keto low-carb diet. But I'm also well versed in vegetarian and vegan cooking since my husband is vegan.
I now eat a more balanced diet where I alternate between keto and a Mediterranean Diet
Cooking and Baking is my true passion. In fact, I only share a small portion of my recipes on Sweet As Honey. Most of them are eaten by my husband and my two kids before I have time to take any pictures!
All my recipes are at least triple tested to make sure they work and I take pride in keeping them as accurate as possible.
Browse all my recipes with my Recipe Index.
I hope that you too find the recipes you love on Sweet As Honey!
Disclaimer
The recipes, instructions, and articles on this website should not be taken or used as medical advice. You must consult with your doctor before starting on a keto or low-carb diet. The nutritional data provided on Sweetashoney is to be used as indicative only.
The nutrition data is calculated using WP Recipe Maker. Net Carbs is calculated by removing the fiber and some sweeteners from the total Carbohydrates. As an example, a recipe with 10 grams of Carbs per 100 grams that contains 3 grams of erythritol and 5 grams of fiber will have a net carbs content of 2 grams. Some sweeteners are excluded because they are not metabolized.
You should always calculate the nutritional data yourself instead of relying on Sweetashoney's data. Sweetashoney and its recipes and articles are not intended to cure, prevent, diagnose, or treat any disease. Sweetashoney cannot be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or advice found on the Website.
Share this post!
If you enjoyed this post, share it with your close ones!
Leave a comment